Improvement in uterine-supporters



iuited tatea Letters Patent No. 109,401, dated November 22, 18.70.

IMPROVEMENT IN UTERINE-SUPPORTERS.

The Schedule eferred to in these Letters Patent and making part ofthe same.

Be it known that I, lonirr Facnkxnn, ot' the city ofErie, in the county1 of Erie and State 'of Penusylvania, have invented a new and useful Improveinentin-Uteri11e-Supporters; and I do hcrebydeclarc that the following is a full, clear, and exact deseription'- thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference beingr had to the accompanying drawings forming part oi'Y the specifications.

This invention relates to a new and improved supporter, designed notonly to adapt itseltto and to till the whole cavity of the vagina, and to keep the uterus in place during medical treatment. for its displacement, but also to receive the neck ofthe womb without any strain or flexion upon it, and withoutihc possibility' of pinching the same by contracting, in the act of inflation, that open or tubular part provided for the reception of the neck.

The construction also such that when iniiated the exterior wall will adapt itself, it is'expandcd, to the special contour or shape of the vaginal cavity of the patient to whom it maybe applied,'and thus iirnxly hold itself to place without liability to drop lownward, or to shift its position and cause irritation.

Its construction is also such that the tubular openl ing into which .the neck oi'th'c uterus is permitted ,to drop naturally, while the body oi' the womb is steadily andrmly supported in the cup or saucer-shaped topV wall, admits ot' insertion ot' thc linger for the purpose of directing the neck into the` tube land placing it properly, and ot' adjusting the whole instrmnentsatistact-orily to the patient.

its construction is also such that its central open` ing or tube, although flexible to a sntlicicnt extent,

` has a greater thickness` than the other parts, so that upon thc stout central tube preparatory to insertion.

ln the accompanying drawingslfigurc l a perspective view, and

Figure ZI, a vertical section ci' -my invention, the same being shown with an iniating-tube applied.

A represents the body ofthe instrument.

l the stout vertical tube passing through it.

(l rcprescntsithe inliating-tubc, which may or may not be terminated by the metallic stop-valve l), and which may be appliedv to the instrument in any wellknown manner.

The outer part A or body ofthe apparatus may be made ofelastic India rubber or other suitable elastic material, in the forni of or similar to the form shown in the drawings, and with a broad top, and also with a broad base, the latter insuring its retaining its place when in use, as the expanded part rests upon and is held 'up by the base ot' the pelvic cavity.

The vertical tube is to be made of heavier material than the outside, heilig stout enough to prevent its collapsing when the instrument is inflated, and to be sclt'- supporting under any pressure itmay receive while in ns and the top ot' this tube serves to receive the neck of the womb, the body of the uterus resting in and upon the cup or saucer-shaped top of the instrument, as upon a soft elastic cushion.

'The vertical tube also serves for the ready recept-ion and easy escape of allsecrctions, and for the passage oi' a syringe or other instrument, or `for other application, when desired.

'lhe internal diameter or thisv tubo li should, for the above-named purposes, and for the insertion of the linger, as heretofore stated, be about three-quarters of aninch, and the tube should he from' one to one g and tlnec-quarters ot'an inch iu length.

The horizontal diameter ot' the outside A, when inflated', should be f'rcrn two and a quarter to three and a halt'iuches.

The vertical diameter oi' the outside A should be from one and a hali to two and a haltinches.

'ihefinilating tubo should bo about three-sixteeuths of an inch outside diameter and about thirty inches long'.

L'pon applying the instrunientmhe air is to be expelled andthe instrument rolled up in its smallest l'orin, by wrapping or folding the outer inflatable part around or upon the stout central tube, and it is then inserted intothe vagina until it comes in Contact with the neck ot' the uterus, the neck being properly directed and placed by means of the iinger, which can be passed through the vertical tube for that purpose.

'ihe instrument being properly appliefhit is inflated by blowing into the tube L".v As the outer part Ais thus expanded, (the tube l5 being stout enonghto rosist the action oli' the injected air,) it spreads until it iills the vagina, accommodating itself tothe natural formation in diiierent patients, supporting the uterus amply at the top, holding its neck easily and without compression in the tube, and :resting firmly and securely upon its broad expanded base.

By this apparatus irritation and spasm, caused by compression ot' the neck, arc avoided; also exion oi.

the neck is prevented, and it relieves that abnormal condition, it' previously existing.

I claimi f l. A uterine supporter, made of rubber or equivalent nmterial, having a eentraL' vert-ical, non-collapsible` tube supporting mi annular chamber having expansible ela'svie walls, and a broad base and broad top, all

The above and. foregoing specification of my invention signed by me this 22d day of June,' A. D. 1869.

\. ROBERT FAULKNER. ns' shown and described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. The same, when provided with a cup-shaped top NVitnesses:

BENJAMIN GRANL. T. OURTZE.

surface to receive and support the body of the uterus, all as set forth. 

